Sea Kayaking Tours - Coastal and Rivers

Sea Kayaking on Coastal Maine's Waters

Booka custom coastal or flatwater sea kayak tour. There is no prescheduled time and place. Each tour is unique to you and your chosen paddling partners (if any). Families, friends, and school groups will have a custom tour built based on your wishes. Tours are one to three and one-half hours or all day - four to six hours. The weather, tides, river currents, your paddling skills, and your overall goals are all taken into consideration when planning your trip. Trips will stop during a thunder & lightening storm or cancelled if the conditions are not safe. A 50% deposit is required to reserve your date and time.

Coastal Maine sea kayaking between Portland and Camden offers paddlers more chances to paddle than one might expect. You have the choice of paddling island to island (protected waters or more challenging), ocean surfing, paddling tidal rivers and then paddling rivers and streams leading to the tidal sections, as well as large and small ponds and lakes. Alice's Awesome Adventures, LLC offers tours and instruction on coastal waters, streams, ponds, lakes, and slow moving rivers. I do not offer surf paddling.

Although we can paddle to Malaga Island with a sad but true history or two state parks that are only accessible by water (Eagle Island and Swans Island) that have incredible historical value, or paddle to and visit a Revolutionary War fort surrounded by water near Portland, most shorter tours are just enjoying the time hiking by water. We can plan a trip with a stop on a coastal island where you can wander on a tidal beach that can't be found at high tide or explore a tide pool. You have a high chance of seeing lobstermen pull their traps (while staying out of their way) during a tour and then stop at a local eatery to have a lobster roll or fresh fish sandwich.

What if you love the ocean but only from the shore? Not a problem, for this area is full of calm rivers and streams to explore. Paddle up to a dam and on the way be looking for bald eagles and sturgeon. Paddle beautiful Merrymeeting Bay (part of the eastcoast flyway) and stop on a sandbar for lunch and a swim if the tide is right. If you have your fishing license, this area is rich in fish to try to catch. Paddle a lake looking for common loons, merganser and mallard ducks. Sightsee by water or paddle by beaver hutches and cross breached beaver dams.

Enjoy the sunrise, the sunset or a moonlit tour. Visit Malaga Island with Alice to learn about how our Native Americans used the area surrounding the island as a summer camp and then how the State of Maine chose to end a colony and how that became a dark secret. It is a perfect 3 hour trip.

Each tour will have a special starting point where we will meet. You will bring or wear quick dry clothing appropriate for the weather and a change of clothing in a waterproof bag. A windbreaker/rain coat/ or polyfleece top is always welcome when you stop or if the wind comes up. Wear odorless sunscreen and closed toe shoes that you don't mind getting wet like a swimming shoe or old sneakers. Sandals must have a closed toe. Wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses. Bring medications, and if you wish a camera, binoculars, and/or a journal in a waterproof case. Always bring your positive attitude, curiosity, and enthusiasm for our adventure.

"Dear Alice, Ever since moving to Maine, I have always wanted to sign up for a kayaking trip. Thank-you for being our guide and for all the interesting historical facts about the bridge and the rivers. It is inspiriting to see nature (not from a motor boat) while in a kayak because of the opportunity to see wildlife and observe the coastline. Alice, THANK YOU!! for the Awesome Adventure !!! " E.H.

"Thank you Awesome Alice Bean Andrenyak of Alice's Awesome Adventures for the kayak tutorial today!!! Among the techniques Alice taught me, they included how to pivot sharply, back up, track without a rudder, get in and out of the boat using the paddle, pull up parallel to a dock, the shore or an outcropping of rocks without ramming the boat. Oh and I purchased a used kayak!" K.B

"Its sad to learn about some of the history of Maine that isn't positive. Visiting Malaga with our private tour, I learned so much about - lobstering, life jackets, Maine history, and the island's history. We'll book again next year." J.L.

Number of Paddlers on a private, custom tour with snacks

1-3.5 hour tour

4-6 hour tour

1-4

$195/group

$275/group

5 or 6

$300/group

$400/group

Larger groups can be accomodated

If you want to join a group tour, check out the BOOK IT! section of the website for available tours and instruction.